Planning Permission in Alloa

Planning Permission in Alloa

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to conform to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to use an architect to draft plans also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.